Septembre (Quel Joli Temps)

Barbara's song 'Septembre (Quel Joli Temps)' is a poignant reflection on the bittersweet nature of farewells, set against the backdrop of the changing seasons. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the end of summer, with the beauty of the vineyards and the gathering swallows symbolizing the passage of time. The song captures the essence of a beautiful yet melancholic moment, where the end of a season mirrors the end of a relationship, or at least a temporary separation.

The recurring line 'Quel joli temps pour se dire au revoir' (What a lovely time to say goodbye) underscores the paradox of finding beauty in moments of sadness. The imagery of cigarette smoke and the colors of September evoke a sense of nostalgia and fleeting youth, as the singer reminisces about playing at being twenty. The song's melancholic tone is softened by the hope that love might return, as suggested by the lines 'L'amour nous reviendra peut-être' (Love might return to us) and 'Car tu me reviendras, mon amour, à demain' (For you will return to me, my love, tomorrow).

Barbara's lyrical style is deeply poetic, blending personal emotion with natural imagery to create a universal experience of love and loss. The song's gentle melody and reflective lyrics invite listeners to contemplate their own experiences of parting and the passage of time. The mention of May flowers and the promise of reunion with the swallows in the spring add a cyclical element to the narrative, suggesting that while goodbyes are inevitable, they are also part of the natural rhythm of life and love.